 Poster: A snowHead
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| pisteoff wrote: |
| ... Just read James Gambrill's recent article if you want a flavour of what the new GM thinks the club is about. Freshtracks, ever more expensive luxury holidays and him being a 'ski icon' is what I take away from that.... |
I was just wondering what "ski luxe" was, and it turns out that they only just started.
| Their blurb wrote: |
The bi-monthly print and digital magazine, as well as the website,
are the destination where today’s affluent skier goes to learn, explore,
and plan their next lavish ski holiday,” said Hailey Cromwell, Supervising Editor for the publication.
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Is anyone here likely to read something like that? Maybe it's "advertorial" for business-class lounges?
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Sat 29-01-22 14:25; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@philwig, You don't need to be a member of Go Outdoors to buy stuff.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@rjs, you do if you don’t want to pay 15% more than at the competition down the road 
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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@ousekjarr, Nikwax is cheaper there than anywhere else around here, even with the extra 15%. I don't buy it often enough to cover the cost of membership.
Is Costco a better example to use?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| philwig wrote: |
| pisteoff wrote: |
| ... Just read James Gambrill's recent article if you want a flavour of what the new GM thinks the club is about. Freshtracks, ever more expensive luxury holidays and him being a 'ski icon' is what I take away from that. Hardly a focus on members in my view. Therein lies the challenge for the Club - how to run a club focussed on its members - attractive to a new and growing group of members. Outsourcing Freshtracks is essential I think because it so dominates thinking and costs in the Club. |
I did think that article odd. |
Well the article does seem to have been written for a luxury ski magazine. He may have written something different for Dirtbaggers Monthly. But still; just a view from one of many transitory General Managers. I still maintain that the club is driven by the interests of its Leaders/Reps ( do they exclusively make up the Council?) rather than the general membership
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I think On the rocks is absolutely correct. I eventually found the James Gambrill article in ski luxe and it reinforces the view that SCGB is mainly for the wealthy, so by definition cannot expect to have a large membership. To be fair, it did not appear to be written by James Gambrill himself, but if SCGB is really aiming at providing ever more expensive holidays, I'm out. As for the need for reps, I have often wondered how much value they add to off-piste holidays where a team of mountain guides or local instructors is effectively controlling what happens. OK they may bring SCGB transceivers to lend to members and are there to act on behalf of the SCGB as necessary, but perhaps there are more efficient ways of providing local support to Freshtracks customers, especially in Flaine where the SCGB operates throughout the season.
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@ on the rocks,
Good to hear from you ski buddy, hope all goes well with you.
Yeah, I haven't ever used freshtracks, so all I see if it is dominating the SCGB website, annoyingly often to the exclusion of what I want it for e.g. weather, resort reports, news, deals, advice, discounts, etc etc
But I can see how members like you who do use it, see it as a valuable resource. I think maybe if it wasn't loss making & if it didn't seem to need so much management attention & club money, I would be happier with it. You point about no need for reps on freshtracks or ilg days is spot on imho. This should have happened years ago also (like before selling hq maybe!?  )
Tbf, to the club, I think the in resort Facebook pages for member meet ups & self organising shows the way to go. I.e. become a facilitor of member meet ups, skiing, guides, discounts, expert advice, etc, etc, etc using social technology to reduce costs & increase networking and bulk buying (discounts) to secure value for members. Simple Simon stuff really!!
P.s. freshtracks even though it's currently not making money as is, would be worth quite a lot of money imho. E.g. goodwill, brand, access to members, loyal repeat customers, and a business model that probably just needs some freshening up. Some crowd like Mark Warner or whoever could make a really good business out of it I'd imagine. Plus it's a great time to sell a business, valuations are frothy.....
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@horgand,
| Quote: |
I can see how members like you who do use it, see it as a valuable resource. I think maybe if it wasn't loss making & if it didn't seem to need so much management attention & club money, I would be happier with it. You point about no need for reps on freshtracks or ilg days is spot on imho. This should have happened years ago also (like before selling hq maybe!? rolling eyes )
Tbf, to the club, I think the in resort Facebook pages for member meet ups & self organising shows the way to go. I.e. become a facilitor of member meet ups, skiing, guides, discounts, expert advice, etc, etc, etc using social technology to reduce costs & increase networking and bulk buying (discounts) to secure value for members. Simple Simon stuff really!!
P.s. freshtracks even though it's currently not making money as is, would be worth quite a lot of money imho. E.g. goodwill, brand, access to members, loyal repeat customers, and a business model that probably just needs some freshening up. Some crowd like Mark Warner or whoever could make a really good business out of it I'd imagine. Plus it's a great time to sell a business, valuations are frothy.....
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Totally agreed.
I see pisteoff's facebook group has deteriorated in the usual manner. I've left it - can't be bothered. I really only joined it to lend support to admin in connection with the sH name.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Quote: |
pisteoff's facebook group has deteriorated in the usual manner
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Oh no! I’m missing out on a bun fight? Anyone care to share on here for non-FB folks?
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@AL9000, no, if you want to eat the cake, you have to be a member of the party
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@ousekjarr, “Just when I thought I was out…they drag me back in!”
I wouldn’t want to lower the tone by feeding any animosity 
Hmmm…cake!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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Back on January 17 Henry John confirmed that Gerry or whatever his name is had ceased to be a director/council member at the last AGM - 25 November. Since then I've been taking the occasional look at SCGB's website to see how long it takes them to update the council. Well, the website has been updated in the last few days so the comment "Thank you for raising notice of our inaccurate records; we shall look to have these amended appropriately" has at last been treated with the urgency they feel necessary!
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Necrobump cos I was just curious. In the absence of naive young staffers unconvincingly spamming sHs or supersmart business angels trying to steal other people's IP without due dilligence, apology or contrition, is the SCGB still a thing?
I mean its erstwhile multi time director still pops up in apres to spread jackbooted bile but I understand he got turfed.
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You know it makes sense.
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I have friends who are still "leaders" with them, although my wife and I stopped doing that after they withdrew from offering any actual on-snow leading service. That was the whole, and realistically the only, point if the club as far as I coud see.
The council member in question was never in a position of authority, BTW, and his views certainly do not, and never did, represent those of the club.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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| SCGB website wrote: |
| Dates for the 2023/24 season are still to be confirmed |
for a well-known alpine resort 
Last edited by Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name: on Fri 17-05-24 12:11; edited 1 time in total
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Poster: A snowHead
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@adithorp, Yeah couldn't sleep...
But I was genuinely curious. This past EOSB was the first time I haven't heard anyone talk about the SCGB at all. Maybe @admin regaled people with the odd story of past encounters. Normally there is a fair crossover between people skiing with them and on bashes. Maybe I needed to seek out @pisteoff.
Not lamenting the fact that they largely seem to leave sHs alone post Gerry's booting out.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Yes, I'm curious too. They have made a big thing of re-introducing reps into france, and a wider set of resorts. These reps are not allowed to lead, but are expected to ski with groups they organise, including off piste. (I know, go figure)
I am curious as to whether this is working in practice. Is it resulting in some new members, and perhaps younger members.
I do know the 'Ski Club of GB, Val branch' (a group of generous volunteers in Val D'Isere) does seem to be going strong and all credit and thanks to them. Wonder whether there is a similar vibe in any other resort?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| Quote: |
These reps are not allowed to lead, but are expected to ski with groups they organise, including off piste. (I know, go figure)
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@pisteoff, like that didn't get loads of us tour op piste leaders arrested in the 90s? 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@under a new name, an itch you can’t stop scratching? I wasn’t thrown out. Would you like to place £10,000 bet on that? The money can go to a charity of your choice.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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By the way, one of the only things I still used the Ski Club website for was the Historical snow record, month by month over many years of records. It helped in deciding which resort to go to at different times of year. They decided to axe it.
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I am a member.
BUT their website is now truly dreadful. In this day and age it is hard to work out how you can regress in website design, oh and it cannot even remember me from one visit to the next so I have to log on each time
The information is probably there somewhere but the navigation is so dire....
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i think there maybe a need for a representative body (similar to the British mountaineering council) to represent the 95% plus of UK skiers who do not race or compete, but might benefit from an international lobby on our behalf.
I don’t think that is the SCGB at the moment.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Peter S, The HNGBs (Snowsport England, Snowsport Scotland & Snowsport Wales) have a remit to represent recreational skiers as well as those who compete.
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@Peter S, SCGB has never tried to lobby on skiers behalf. It also has the misfortune of being of a mould, and frankly doesn't reflect all skiers.
In my experience it has also become somewhat nasty, as a certain ex council member sadly insists on illustrating. I am glad I'm out of what it has become, but wish it could return to the great club it once was. I have had some fantastic times with members and thank all for that.
I was interested if anyone felt it was changing for the good again?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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@Hamilton not_very_Academical (well obvs can’t read, what are you blathering on about (this time)?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| pisteoff wrote: |
| @Peter S, SCGB has never tried to lobby on skiers behalf. |
Well if you believe this post from DG then at one time the SCGB declared itself the "voice of UK snowsports" in a 2008 communications statement. In its 1995 mission statement it was "spokesbody of British skiers".
Of course as those alleged statements by the SCGB are no longer available on their website I have no way of confirming the veracity of DG's post or his earlier post in 2005 that apparently quoted the mission statement.
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@countryman, no, I asked them, and when they did the last redesign they decided to axe the Historical snow record. All that information lost!
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You know it makes sense.
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| snowball wrote: |
| @countryman, no, I asked them, and when they did the last redesign they decided to axe the Historical snow record. All that information lost! |
That really added value
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Huge ... I mean really huge ... expenditure on website and site maintenance for a site that no-one liked, was just one of the inventive ways council and CEO found to waste members money - while keeping all this wastage secret from members and enjoying insider perks and trips. A club that went from a very valuable property in Wimbledon and tens of thousands of loyal members to the brink of bankruptcy while the key offer - and value for members - was all but forgotten.
Is this value returning though?
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Poster: A snowHead
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| snowball wrote: |
| @countryman, no, I asked them, and when they did the last redesign they decided to axe the Historical snow record. All that information lost! |
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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They said not many people were using it.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| snowball wrote: |
| They said not many people were using it. |
Probably true. That it had value to some and was to some extent irreplaceable probably didn't overall matter to whoever had the remit to "clean up the unused stuff on the website".
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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| snowball wrote: |
| They said not many people were using it. |
Maybe. But I'd be surprised if the database took up much server space. I can remember using it in the days before my skiing became more limited, and I pretty much restricted myself to on resort.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Usually what happens when non-operational people like IT are allowed to do things in their silos unsupervised.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@achilles, Server space is pretty much free these days, especially when compared to the cost of the SCGB website redesign 
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Not that facts matter here, but the SCGB were paying a yearly fee for that data, along with other resort related stuff. So, if hardly anyone was viewing it, they would have decided the cost wasn’t worth paying.
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| pisteoff wrote: |
Yes, I'm curious too. They have made a big thing of re-introducing reps into france, and a wider set of resorts. These reps are not allowed to lead, but are expected to ski with groups they organise, including off piste. (I know, go figure)
I am curious as to whether this is working in practice. Is it resulting in some new members, and perhaps younger members.
I do know the 'Ski Club of GB, Val branch' (a group of generous volunteers in Val D'Isere) does seem to be going strong and all credit and thanks to them. Wonder whether there is a similar vibe in any other resort? |
There seems to be a relatively popular group here in Mayrhofen. I'm on their FB group just out of interest, and they tended to have a group skiing here all season long.
I also know a guy that goes out to Cervinia a couple of weeks a season to "lead". We did our L2 instructor course together.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@Hamilton Academical, I guess people didn't realise that and assumed it was data the SCGB gathered.
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| Hamilton Academical wrote: |
| Not that facts matter here, but the Ski Club were paying a yearly fee for that data, along with other resort related stuff. So, if hardly anyone was viewing it, they would have decided the cost wasn’t worth paying. |
So did the historical snow record actually belong to the SCGB and they were just paying for it to be hosted on the server, or did someone else actually own the historical record and SCGB were paying to use it? If SCGB did actually own the record one hopes that it's stored somewhere in SCGB, if only on a memory stick!
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FAQ
